Which one would you choose? Pictures

[HeartOrHeadDecision]

1. 160sq m 3 bed Victorian semi with a loft to convert. The kitchen alone is 25 sq m. Plenty of space for a family of four and more. Not stunning views and a bit shaded. Location is good just not picturesque. An ordinary road. If anything perhaps even more convenient for us. Feels sort of cold inside although it has been nicely done and we could spend a bit of money (not much) on making it warmer and cosier. Lots of original features. Two bathrooms. So spacious. Very high ceilings. The garden is boring, bigger than in the second house *2,5. Just grass for now. And a nicely newly done spacious patio. North-west facing. Gets some sun but I reckon not too much. It is a bit on the slope. Overlooked. Could be good for plants in pots and with some shrubs.

Has been there for a while. Two sellers so two chains. They have nothing in mind. Would you consider getting involved?

1. A 80s a-la "periodic" terraced in the heart of a very very beautiful old town. Stunning views. West facing. Sun for the whole afternoon. Nice renovation. Feels modern inside. Very warm and easy/cheap to run, ready for moving in. French doors, landscaped smallish garden. 86sq m. Rooms are good size but no storage space. Chain free.

We are chain free. Heart or mind?
We are not experienced buyers, the first house.

House 1,2 is too small

Keep looking?

House 2 is small and while the living space can take a lot of people there is no separation. Think as your kids grow there is nowhere to spread out and have their own space other than bedroom. When they get obsessed with a TV series and want to watch it then the entire of the downstairs will have to listen too. I'm a big believer in having a nice, open kitchen diner but a separate snug or living room whatever you call it.

House 1 is bigger and seems good but you describe it as cold and it is long and thin which makes me think parts of it probably don't get much light and it could feel quite depressing. Space wise though it is much better and you have some separation and.a lot of flexibility with the reception rooms downstairs. 2 bathrooms not to be sniffed at either, small kids turn in to teens and then before you know it 4 of you are trying to shower at the same time before work/school.

Thank you. Some very good thoughts.

What about the chain? What's your experience? Does it make it any more difficult if it is a splitting couple and they will be both looking for alternatives?

No 1 ! Separate rooms downstairs, period features and an ensuite!

How long would you plan to be in this house for? If 10 years or more and you have two girls and possibly more to come, you’re going to need a second bathroom. Little ones turn into great big bathroom hogging ones in no time.

One of the things I have just realised. Between now and our sixties it is probably the last chance to get into some small picturesque property. While children are still not too vocal about their privacy and personal space. We will probably be kicked out in 5-7 years when our eldest turns into a teen anyway. Just a thought

And I love a huge Victorian too 😭

Would we be a terrible nuisance for our neighbours? Children running and squeaking? They are not too mad but can be mmm jolly? I don't want to be hated

No2 sounds lovely, but if you're going to have more kids you might want more space. I believe in having a "feeling" about a house. So based on your descriptions either keep looking or no 2 (even if it may not be your forever home)

Neither sounds quite right.

Keep looking.

There's no comparison, house one every time!

Does the house 2 kitchen open into the lounge? Being stuck in a single living space with two growing children for years sounds like hell.

No storage space would be a deal breaker for me.

House 2 is too small for someone planning more children, unless you also plan to move again in a few years time.

Though I agree with others that you don't seem to love house 1 so maybe keep looking?

House 2 is way too small with two children in the longer term. They might not need much space now, but they will in future. And having two bathrooms (one family, one ensuite) is a real must when they get to teen age.

House 1. Semi is better than a terrace. More space. Bigger garden.

House two is too small for a family of four, never mind more kids planned. Especially with teens you ideally need a separate social space and with the smaller house the downstairs looks cramped and open plan. Not good.

I bought a house in a chain from a divorcing couple and there was no issue at all. She went into rented for a bit, no idea what he did but we completed in 8 weeks.

On floor plans alone I'd reject house 2. It's small, and if you are looking at more than 2 kids will rapidly be outgrown.

We went head, and didn't even look at the Victorian houses when we moved. We knew the heating bills would finish us off.
Is house 2 cheaper? Or does the difference in location balance out the difference in size?
I think converting the loft in house 2 would require removing a portion of one of the bedrooms to get the stairs in.

Definitely house number 1. Hands down. House number 2 is far too small for a growing family, you would be moving again within a few years.

If you're planning on having more kids then def house number 1. You say kids don't take up much space but you've not had teenagers!
House 1 has two reception rooms, you could then either use part of the kitchen as a second lounge or eat in the kitchen and use the dining room as a second lounge. Gives them space to have consoles, music practise etc away from everyone else!

Plus looks like house 1 has more potential for an extra bedroom. I'll be honest I don't agree with kids sharing rooms once they are past primary school age.

Sound proofing in 1980s builds is not good. Lived in 2 mid terrace houses built in this era over the years and both were appalling (as in could hear bathroom light being turned on/off, mumbled voices/conversations, even someone getting plates out of a cupboard. Regs changed around 2001 so much better after this time.

No. 1 for the space but only if both sellers of that house agree to sell chain free and move into a rented place until they buy i.e. no. 1 if you can force them out of the chain.

Sounds like you love house 2. I’ll be honest though: I would never have viewed it due to the size. You say the rooms are a good size but I’m not sure how: we’re in a 3 bed semi too (kitchen diner and living room downstairs, 3 beds and family bathroom upstairs) but it’s 1250sqft and the rooms are a good size but I wouldn’t say it’s spacious.

House 2 will be too small very soon (yet alone with more kids!)
House 1 is the correct kind of house for you (spacious/flexible/2 loos etc). Have you time / energy / & to find an eg that you like better ? If not, grab this 1.

86m2 is like the size of 4 good sized hotel bedrooms.
Too small to raise a family.

House 1. You'll grow out of house 2 as the kids get older especially if you want more.
Downsize to a house like house 2 if you feel that way inclined when your kids have flown the nest

I think you'll have much better soundproofing in house 1, 80s are notorious for terrible noise.
Don't underestimate your future need for space - house 2 is way too small for a family.
With the increasingly extreme summer temperatures, I'd be wary of a full west facing house with lots of light (I live in one - it's an oven in summer time).
Is the picturesque location touristy in summer? I'd personally find that got old very quickly.
I'd go for house 1, or keep looking. Given that it's your first house it surely doesn't matter too much if the couple take a little bit longer to both find properties? If you really like house 1 that is